U.S. officials held a cargo plane carrying the equivalent of $400 million in cash for Iran until Tehran released three American detainees, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. However, congressional Republicans have characterized the money transfer as ransom to secure the detainees' release, a claim President Obama denied earlier this month. The Jounal also reported earlier this month that Justice Department officials objected to the timing of the money transfer, saying it would look like a ransom payment. In response to the initial Journal report, Obama said it was necessary to transact the payment in foreign currency due to U.S. sanctions, which prohibit trading in dollars. According to the Journal, GOP leaders say they plan to hold hearings on the payment next month, when Congress returns from its summer recess.

Source: Fox News August 17, 2016 22:24 UTC